Pasadena moves to ban protests after Horn case

Pasadena moves to ban residential picketing

RUTH RENDON, Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle |
December 11, 2007

PASADENA--City council tentatively approved an ordinance preventing picketing in front of a private residence today.

The ordinance, approved in an unanimous vote, was a direct result of the large demonstration held recently in front of the home of Joe Horn who shot and killed two men who authorities say were burglarizing his neighbor's home in the Village Grove East subdivision.

The City Council approved the measure on first reading.

The ordinance will not become law until after a second reading and approved during a council meeting next week.

"It doesn't matter what side of the issue you are on. It is an unsafe issue in our neighborhood."

Some council members said they would like to see the scope of the ordinance expanded so that entire neighborhoods or subdivisions could be covered by the new law.

The ordinance specifies that picketing at a residential dwelling is prohibited.

One person who spoke against the measure was Pasadena resident Todd Russell who said, "I fully support what Mr. Horn did. What I am concerned about today is the ordinance proposed."

He proceeded to read the First Amendment to the council and questioned whether this ordinance went against constitutional rights of free speech of protest.

Horn, 61, shot two men Nov. 14 in front of his home in the 7400 block of Timberline Drive in the Village Grove East subdivision.

The two men, Diego Ortiz, 30, and Hernando Riascos Torres, 38, who were in the country illegally, were confronted by Horn in his front yard. Police said both men were shot in the back with a shotgun and died at the scene